Akhtar to play in the IPL next week

The Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to drop it's defamation suit against Shoaib Akhtar, following a meeting with high ranked political official last night.

PCB chairman, Nasim Ashraf had filed a $3 million lawsuit on Friday against the paceman after he was handed a five-year ban.

Earlier, Shoaib had also made an apology for "any grief or embarrassment that may have been caused to the nation, particularly to the PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf".

More to follow..

Shoaib won't be playing this week

Shoaib Akhtar, who must be hugely relieved after he was allowed to play in the IPL, won't be featuring in Kolkata's match this week against the Bangalore Royal Challengers on Thursday.

"Shoaib won't be considered for the match against the Bangalore Royal Challengers. He'll first have to settle down and could be in contention next Sunday (in Hyderabad)," said John Buchanan, coach of the Knight Riders told Calcutta based Telegraph.

A member of the Kolkata team management announced that Shoaib did have a valid visa for India and should arrive in Kolkata by Tuesday night.

Shoaib hasn't played competitive cricket for months and will need to clear a fitness test, overseen by physio Andrew Leipus before he's given the go-ahead.